help me learn about safe cosleeping

[neonalee]

DS was born in early August and we've been cosleeping this whole time.  We have a double bed and a cosleeper, but he sleeps between us.  First, I'm concerned about blankets and pillows.  I have a blanket around my back (I sleep on my side to nurse easily) and DP has his own blanket as well.  We then have a large comforter across the bed, but it only goes a little higher than DSs belly.  It's winter, it's cold.  How do other cosleerers handle this?  Also, DP's blanket is electric.  I feel like I read somewhere that's bad for baby?  What is a good resource for safe cosleeping info?

Second, what about naps?  At home DS usually falls asleep on me, occasionally on DP.  If he's sleeping with one of us he'll sleep for awhile, but if, for example, he falls asleep next to me and I get up he often wakes within the half hour.  As much as I enjoy cuddling with him, I also have other things that need to get done and it's easier to do so when he's asleep. 

Last, I pretty much always nurse him to sleep.  How else do I get him to sleep?

DP keeps talking about DS going into the cosleeper or his crib.  We haven't discussed when this will happen, but I don't want to get up every time he is hungry.  But DP is having trouble sleeping with DS in the bed.  He sleeps, just not well.

[Katie T]

I can't answer all of your questions but I will give ya what I have got. The heated blanket is a no no for a co sleeping baby. What  I did with my cosleeping babies was give them there own blanket and would even put a cap on DS (my youngest winter baby) that way I could have his blanket up to his armpits and mine how I wanted it.

As for naps 3 kids later and I still don't have any great advise. Mine is 2 1/2 yrs and still won't nap great without me there. I usually go back in and nurse her back to sleep 3 times for a 1 hr nap. Which leads me to your other question of how else to get them to sleep. I only nurse mine to sleep which while it works great makes it hard at times. They eventually learn that dad can't nurse them and to accept other ways (only from someone other than mom) to go to sleep.

http://www.askdrsears.com/html/10/t102200.asp Dr Sears has tons of great advise. If you google Dr Sears cosleeping you will gets lots of great results.

[MamitaM]

I've heard that it's dangerous to sleep with baby between the parents. Maybe your partner isn't getting to sleep well b/c he (or she) is nervous about rolling on the baby.

I sleep on my side most of the night and when my baby wants to nurse I just move in closer and let him latch on. I've figured out a way to flop one boobie over the over so that I can easily nurse both boobies with out having to turn over to the other side.

[ShwarmaQueen]

A double bed seems too small for me, a babe, and DH to all sleep comfortably (and safely) in. I'd move to another bed, futon, or the like, or if your DH prefers, then him. It's best to dress yourself and your DC warm and use less to cover with to minimize suffocation hazzard. It's not unusual to sleep separately, I know many breastfeeding/co-sleeping moms who've done it. 

[Katie T]

I agree that a double bed is not fun to sleep in. We did it for a while (my parents did it for all 6 of us so it us do able) But when dh was in bed with us the babe was on the "edge" with a guard, then me then toddler then dh. Now dh sleeps in the double bed alone and the kids sleep with me in the king.